# Massive measles outbreak - thank you, Andrew Fucking Wakefield **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 19, 2013, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119 "2013-04-19T10:56:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 51
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1001 "2014-09-25T03:17:16Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > But he actually is being censored by State Farm. Censorship is not solely an action of governments. From that article: "Schneider tweeted late Tuesday night, “‘If the Freedom of Speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter,’ George Washington.” So this dumbass is using his constitutionally protected freedom of speech to pretend that State Farm has taken it away. Schneider is also the moron who said that mandatory immunization threatens the “precious immune systems” of children and is “something out of an Orwellian nightmare or Nazi Germany”. It’s not surprising that a company that sells health insurance would want to drop a commercial spokesman who attacks a highly effective and safe health measure. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1002 "2014-09-25T03:17:45Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > On measles. Yes, an un-vaccinated kid could get the measles (extremely rare) and die (even more rare). The big risk is exposure and that is why we must always be vigilant for carriers. We should be checking vaccination records for foreign visitors and immigrants. But is the chance of serious complications from the measles any worse than the chance to choke on something or get hurt falling in the bathtub? > > Just my thoughts. OK let’s talk about measles, particularly the three day or German kind. Rubella. The R in MMR But before we do that we have to agree on one thing. Would you agree that couples that have children quite often have more than 1? Ok now that you agree to that here we go. You being the progressive parent that you are you didn’t have your child vaccinated with that evil mass produced MMR. And being a resident of an affluent community of like minded individuals many of the other kids the age of your off spring also aren’t vaccinated. Anyway one day at pre-K (Day care, elementary school, playground pick one) one of the other kids sneezes on your sprog and they get a load of Rubella. Three day measles no big deal right? Gone in three and temp of maybe 100. Well yeah except your wife is pregnant. Let’s look at the potential downside here From wiki on Rubella. > [@](#): > > Rubella can cause congenital rubella syndrome in the newborn. The syndrome (CRS) follows intrauterine infection by the rubella virus and comprises cardiac, cerebral, ophthalmic and auditory defects.[8] It may also cause prematurity, low birth weight, and neonatal thrombocytopenia, anemia and hepatitis. The risk of major defects or organogenesis is highest for infection in the first trimester. CRS is the main reason a vaccine for rubella was developed.[9] > Many mothers who contract rubella within the first critical trimester either have a miscarriage or a still born baby. If the baby survives the infection, it can be born with severe heart disorders (Patent ductus arteriosus being the most common), blindness, deafness, or other life-threatening organ disorders. The skin manifestations are called “blueberry muffin lesions”.[9] For these reasons, rubella is included on the TORCH complex of perinatal infections. Still think measles is no big thing? IMHO not vaccinating is an asshole move. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1003 "2014-09-25T03:39:20Z")
BY the way, The Texas courts [told Andrew Wakefield to suck a dick](http://www.statesman.com/news/news/court-andrew-wakefield-autism-researcher-cannot-su/nhQhN/?__federated=1) a few days ago. OK, maaaybe not their exact words… ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1004 "2014-10-08T20:15:10Z")
Mwahahaha! So the anti-vaxxers had been gleefully singing the praises of Brian Hooker’s analysis of a ten year old paper trying to force it to show a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Needless to say it was criticized heavily and several science bloggers showed the massive gaps of logic in the ‘analysis’ but the paper had been published anyway. Worst of all was the attempt to drag African-Americans to their ‘side’ by claiming they suffered the most autism cases from the vaccine. That was total bullshit as well. However, in much less time than it took the Lancet to retract the Wakefield study, the Translational Neurodegeneration has [apparently decided to retract](http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2014/10/06/its-official-brian-hookers-reanalysis-of-mmr-data-is-retracted/) > [@](#): > > The Editor and Publisher regretfully retract the article [1] as there were undeclared competing interests on the part of the author which compromised the peer review process. Furthermore, post-publication peer review raised concerns about the validity of the methods and statistical analysis, therefore the Editors no longer have confidence in the soundness of the findings. We apologise to all affected parties for the inconvenience caused. Suck it, anti-vaxxer murderers! ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1005 "2014-10-08T20:34:15Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > Mwahahaha! > > So the anti-vaxxers had been gleefully singing the praises of Brian Hooker’s analysis of a ten year old paper trying to force it to show a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Needless to say it was criticized heavily and several science bloggers showed the massive gaps of logic in the ‘analysis’ but the paper had been published anyway. Worst of all was the attempt to drag African-Americans to their ‘side’ by claiming they suffered the most autism cases from the vaccine. That was total bullshit as well. Mindlessly unable to fathom that if the statistical torture of that data was actual proof of a link between MMR and autism for that particular demographic, it was also disproof of the link for all other demographics. You’d almost think they had no understanding of science. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1006 "2014-10-10T13:54:22Z")
> [@artemis](#): > > A few people are allergic to some vaccine components. That’s about it. I haven’t read this whole thread yet, but I can’t take a flu shot. Because I’m allergic to eggs. It’s a very slight allergy from childhood, but it shows on allergy testing, and most doctors I’ve spoken with have informed me that they don’t want to take the chance (however minor) of a reaction. I know that they have the nasal spray available, and I think they make some of the vaccinations without the egg proteins. What I find interesting is that I never used to get the flu. Never had it until my late 20’s. Then, there was a scare of a particularly bad strain going around, so I took the shot. And got the flu. And now I get it every year, like clockwork, even if I take steps to avoid it. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1007 "2014-10-10T14:17:19Z")
I get the flu shot regularly. I’ve never gotten the flu. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1008 "2014-10-10T20:46:53Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I haven’t read this whole thread yet, but I can’t take a flu shot. Because I’m allergic to eggs. It’s a very slight allergy from childhood, but it shows on allergy testing, and most doctors I’ve spoken with have informed me that they don’t want to take the chance (however minor) of a reaction. > > I know that they have the nasal spray available, and I think they make some of the vaccinations without the egg proteins. What I find interesting is that I never used to get the flu. Never had it until my late 20’s. Then, there was a scare of a particularly bad strain going around, so I took the shot. And got the flu. And now I get it every year, like clockwork, even if I take steps to avoid it. Do you really get influenza, or do you get an [influenza-like illness](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza-like_illness)? Do you have a sore throat and a fever and miss a day of work, or are you flat on your back unable to lift and arm and begging for death to come and relieve you of your misery? Only 4% of the population gets influenza annually. Most people get an Acute Respiratory Infection, a rhinovirus, or something similar not actual influenza. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1009 "2014-10-10T21:09:46Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I haven’t read this whole thread yet, but I can’t take a flu shot. Because I’m allergic to eggs. It’s a very slight allergy from childhood, but it shows on allergy testing, and most doctors I’ve spoken with have informed me that they don’t want to take the chance (however minor) of a reaction. > > I know that they have the nasal spray available, and I think they make some of the vaccinations without the egg proteins. What I find interesting is that I never used to get the flu. Never had it until my late 20’s. Then, there was a scare of a particularly bad strain going around, so I took the shot. And got the flu. And now I get it every year, like clockwork, even if I take steps to avoid it. [32 Myths About the Flu Vaccine You Don’t Need to Fear](http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/10/10/354627818/32-myths-about-the-flu-vaccine-you-dont-need-to-fear) ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1010 "2014-10-10T21:17:47Z")
If you live in New York City, Dr. Offit will be at a [free conference at NYU on vaccines](http://healthcare-innovations.med.nyu.edu/content/program) on the 23rd and 24th of this month. I’m going to try and be there in the audience on the 23rd to cheer him on. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1011 "2014-10-10T21:21:19Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > Do you really get influenza, or do you get an [influenza-like illness](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza-like_illness)? Do you have a sore throat and a fever and miss a day of work, or are you flat on your back unable to lift and arm and begging for death to come and relieve you of your misery? > > Only 4% of the population gets influenza annually. Most people get an Acute Respiratory Infection, a rhinovirus, or something similar not actual influenza. Honestly, I’m not sure. But the doctor said it was the flu, though it could have been a misdiagnosis. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1012 "2014-10-11T00:15:57Z")
My experience of the flu is that it takes around an hour to decide that you do have the energy to crawl 10 feet to the toilet without dying. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1013 "2014-10-11T00:21:07Z")
> [@susan](#): > > My experience of the flu is that it takes around an hour to decide that you do have the energy to crawl 10 feet to the toilet without dying. Seconded. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1014 "2014-10-11T01:05:43Z")
> [@susan](#): > > My experience of the flu is that it takes around an hour to decide that you do have the energy to crawl 10 feet to the toilet without dying. This. The one and only time I’ve had the ACTUAL flu and not just a bad cold or some other respiratory-type thing, my hair hurt from me just breathing. A friend died in 2009 of H1N1. Get the damn flu shot. The flu shot cannot cause the flu, it’s a dead virus. ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1015 "2014-10-11T01:44:36Z")
They refused their vaccine. They knew what they were getting into. I say, let 'em die of measles. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1016 "2014-10-11T02:39:39Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > They refused their vaccine. They knew what they were getting into. I say, let 'em die of measles. The CHILDREN of the anti-vaxxers did not make the decision to refuse the vaccines and should not have to suffer from the idiocy of their parents. ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1017 "2014-10-11T02:43:03Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > The CHILDREN of the anti-vaxxers did not make the decision to refuse the vaccines and should not have to suffer from the idiocy of their parents. For a little perspective: I was quoting _Airplane_. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1018 "2014-10-11T02:44:24Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > For a little perspective: I was quoting _Airplane_. :smack: I am unfamiliar with all of the funny in that movie. I know the basic stuff that everybody throws around, but not everything. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1019 "2014-10-11T02:48:29Z")
> [@susan](#): > > My experience of the flu is that it takes around an hour to decide that you do have the energy to crawl 10 feet to the toilet without dying. If you are laying in bed looking out the window and you see $50,000 laying on your lawn. If you get up and go get it you don’t have the flu. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119/1020 "2014-10-11T04:40:40Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > :smack: I am unfamiliar with all of the funny in that movie. I know the basic stuff that everybody throws around, but not everything. “They bought their tickets. They knew the risk. I say: let 'em crash”. - Guy seemingly parodying a fox news anchor or something It’s not my favorite moment from the movie, but I did get the reference. Christ, that really was SUCH a funny movie. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119.md?page=50) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-measles-outbreak-thank-you-andrew-fucking-wakefield/656119.md?page=52)